Harmonious Beef and Mushroom Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply comforting stew featuring tender beef and earthy mushrooms simmered in a rich, herb-infused broth for a weeknight favorite. This american-inspired soups ready in about 145 minutes pairs beef stew meat, cremini mushrooms, medium yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs beef stew meat dry with paper towels; season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then brown meat in batches for 5 minutes per side; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 2 medium sliced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over vegetables, stirring to combine. Gradually pour in 3 cups beef broth while whisking to avoid lumps.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to pot with 8 oz cremini mushrooms, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove lid, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot with crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Harmonious Beef and Mushroom Stew take to make?

Total time is about 145 minutes (25 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Harmonious Beef and Mushroom Stew?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef stew meat from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Harmonious Beef and Mushroom Stew?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Harmonious Beef and Mushroom Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Harmonious Beef and Mushroom Stew?

American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes